La lune à un mètre

This is actually a very elaborate fiction film for 1898. Made by Georges Méliès, it lasts over three minutes, when most films during the period lasted about a minute or less. Early cinema historian Frank Gray refers to this film as having consisted of three shots and 60 meters length. Yet, I can't precisely distinguish or separate shots or scenes in it, as the entire film takes place from a fixed framing and long-shot perspective. One could go to either extreme: saying that this is a single shot-scene film since its perspective is stationary, or you could say it consists of dozens of shots, including the trick splices for appearances, disappearances, substitutions and stop-motion animation, which is to say this film is a series of jump cuts.

"The Astronomer's Dream", however, does contain a three-part structure, I'd say. The bookend parts are of the astronomer safe within his laboratory, with the longer, middle part being the nightmare. There are also at least three slightly different decors used: the outer one with the telescope and the entire laboratory; a tighter, less furnished, yet similar one for closer views of the moon during the dream; and, briefly, a wall. Moreover, as indicated by this film having three entries in the Star catalogue, it was available to exhibitors in three parts, which was common then, as films were generally sold in 20-meter lengths. Regardless, this is a sophisticated narrative and production for its time.

The following year, Méliès would produce his first féerie film (fairy film), "Cinderella", which consists of at least four distinct scenes transitioned by dissolves. "Cinderella", albeit, is in the tableau, theatrical style of stationary shot-scenes, but it does distinguish spatially separate scenes for a more advanced narrative construction. One fiction film in 1898, Robert W. Paul's "Come Along Do!" also contained two spatially separate scenes with action continuing across them. "The Astronomer's Dream", however, was Méliès's then most elaborate and sophisticated dream or trick film, although it does contain a fairy godmother type in the goddess Phoebe, who protects the astronomer from attacks by demons, the moon and the rest of the nightmare. It's purely part of what Tom Gunning has referred to as "the cinema of attractions"; the attraction here being the magic or tricks accomplished mostly through substitution splices (a.k.a. stop substitutions), as well as theatrical props and transitions and a brief chalkboard animation within the scene. Today, these trick films hold up well and remain at least amusing because of Méliès's wacky and imaginative humor; their primitiveness is even part of their charm.

An astronomer (dressed like a wizard) is visited in his observatory by various imps and fairies, and eventually a giant, eye-rolling anthropomorphic moon that eats his telescope, dissolves his umbrella, delivers a couple of frolicking moon-children, and eventually eats the old fellow himself. The entire phantasmagoric night turns out to be a dream (hence the original title ('The Astronomer's Dream'), which was more accurate than the deceptive American release "A Trip to the Moon"). The film is a wonderful showcase for Méliès' early experiments in 'trick photography' and includes a number of well done (for the era) substitution splices as the fanciful characters appear and disappear, and a clever animation scene in where images on the astronomer's black-board come to life. A clever and imaginative fantasy film from the early days of cinematography.

Astronomer's Dream, The (1898)

*** (out of 4)

aka La Lune a un metre

An astronomer is in his office working when the devil and a woman appear to him and this sets off a strange dream, which includes the moon attacking him. This is another enjoyable film from Meiles as we get to see various magic tricks including the familiar gags of the astronomer going to sit down only to have the chair disappear. What really stands out in this film is the attack by the moon, which is perfectly done and leads to several laughs. I love Melies' design of the moon making it something to fear with its evil eyes and mouth. The special effects are quite nice throughout. This is certainly a good place for newbies to start.

I can't believe that no one else has commented on this yet. This amazing film was one of the first "story" films, with sets like a play. It is a wonderment and leaves so much inspiration for the imagination. It is not in popular circulation, but perhaps it should be. If you can get a chance to watch this one do at all costs. If you can't find it then just think of the Tonight Tonight video by the Smashing Pumpkins. It's about the same except they are separated by about one-hundred years and by a whole barrage of special effects. All in all they are both wonderful and interesting to look at.

George Méliès makes my mind melt and my jaw drop again! This short film is actually better than the last! It has the extremely cool illusions of people appearing and disappearing out of thin air (still do not know how that was accomplished), but this one steps it up a notch. There's this really creepy moon that eats the furniture that moves on its own and it looks awesome. The guy who is playing the astronomer did a great job. His performance made me laugh. The biggest improvement though is the addition of music. Just simply adding music helps, but it's even better when the music fits perfectly and adds another level of enjoyment to something, which is the case here. This makes me way more eager to check out more of George Méliès work, and I think I can safely say I won't be disappointed.